Paint roller of the fountain type



July so, 1963 R. G. LELAND 3,099,034

PAINT ROLLER OF THE FOUNTAIN TYPE Filed Jan. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. V EAeNvAu: G. LELAND ArToRN EYS July 30, 1963 R. G. LELAND PAINT ROLLER OF 1m: FOUNTAIN TYPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 INVENTOR.

llifllliili ATTOFE N EYS United States Patent 3,099,034 PAINT ROLLER OF THE FOUNTAIN TYPE Ragnvald G. Leland, 2334 W. 241st St., Lomita, Calif. Filed Han. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,688 9 Claims. (Cl. 15562) This invention relates to improvements in paint applicators, and more particularly to a paint roller of the fountain type.

A main :object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved fountain type paint roller which is relatively simple in construction, which is easy to fill, and which is adjustable so that any desired degree of flow of paint from the interior thereof to the paint spreading surface thereof may be obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved paint applicator of the fountain type, said applicator involving relatively inexpensive components, being durable in construction, being easy to keep clean, and providing an accurately controllable rate of flow of paint therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved fountain type paint roller which is easy to use, which avoids leakage or loss of paint therefrom, and which is easy to refill whenever required.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved fountain type paint roller constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the components of the paint roller illustrated in FIGURE 1, said components being illustrated in separated positions.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross sectional view, similar to FIGURE 4, but showing a diflerent adjustment of the degree of overlap between the slots of the paint container and the apertures of the paint spreading cylinder of the paint roller of FIGURES 1 to 3.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 with the parts adjusted to correspond with FIGURE 6.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved fountain type paint roller constructed in accordance with the present invention. The paint roller 11 comprises a handle consisting of a rod-like main supporting portion 12 telescopically engaged in a suitable sleeve member 13 which may be of any desired length, the sleeve member 13 being provided with a clamping screw 14 which may be tightened to clampingly engage the rod-like main supporting portion 12.

The handle is formed with a right angled bend at 15, defining an arm 16, which is also bent at right angles at 17, whereby to define another arm 18 oflset from and extending parallel to the main rod-like supporting portion 12. The arm 18 is bent at right angles at 19 to define a shaft 20 extending parallel to the arm 16 and perpendicular to the main supporting rod-like portion 12, but being coplanar with the elements 12, 16 and 18.

The shaft portion 20 is integrally formed adjacent the bend 19 with an abutment collar 21. Designated at 22 is a cylindrical paint container formed at one end with a transverse wall 23 which is inwardly offset from the rim of the container 12, said rim being formed with an out wardly projecting flange 24, as is clearly shown in FIG- "ice URE 2. End wall 23 is centrally formed with a bearing boss 25 which is centrally apertured to rotatably receive the shaft 20. A suitable annular sealing bushing 27 of nylon, or similar durable deformable sealing material is interposed between the boss 25 and the abutment collar 21, closely engaging on the shaft 20 and sealingly engaging against boss 25.

The cylindrical paint container 22 is integrally formed at its intermediate portion with a plurality of inwardly extending radial struts 28 which merge with a bearing sleeve 29 rotatably receiving the shaft 20 and providing a bearing support for the container 22 on said shaft at its intermediate portion.

Container 22 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 30 which are substantially coextensive in length with the container, as is clearly shown in FIG- URE 2.

Designated at 31 is a rigid cylinder which is adjustably engaged on the cylindrical paint container 22, closely engaging thereon, but being rotatable relative thereto. Secured on the rigid cylindrical member 31, as by means of suitable adhesive, is an outer layer 32 of yieldable porous material, such as sponge rubber or the like, said outer layer being of substantial thickness and being adapted to serve as a paint carrying and spreading means when the roller is applied to a surface to be painted. The cylinder 31 is formed with a plurality of longitudinal rows of apertures 33, said apertures being in the form of isosceles triangles elongated in the circumferential direction of cylinder 31, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The longitudinal rows \of apertures 33 are spaced so as to be registrable with the longitudinally extending slots 30 of the cylindrical paint container 22.

Designated at 34 is a generally circular flanged cover member which is of annular shape, as shown in FIGURE 3, and which is sealingly engageable in the end of container 22 remote from the wall 23. The annular cover member 34- is formed with the annular central boss 35 adapted to receive the shaft 20 and being freely rotatable relative thereto. The annular cover member 34 is formed with the outwardly extending peripheral flange 36 which is engageable against the outer rim of the cylinder 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3 to transmit clamping force to said cylinder. A clamping nut 37 is threadedly engaged on the end of the shaft 20 and bears against an annular sealing washer 38 of nylon or similar durable deformable sealing material interposed between the wing nut 37 and the annular boss 35. When the nut 37 is tightened, the cup member 34 exerts clamping force on the cylinder 31, clamping said cylinder against the flange 24 of the paint receptacle 22, thus holding the cylinder 31 in adjusted position relative to the container 22, so that a desired amount of overlap exists between the apertures 33 and the slots 30.

The flange 24 is formed with a notch 40, and the end rim of the cylinder 31 is provided with an arcuately extending index mark 41 which is aligned with a row of apertures 33. As shown in FIGURE 1, the notch 40 is aligned with a slot 30, so that when the index mark 41 is centered in the notch 40, the apertures 33 are in total registry with the slots 30, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. However, any desired degree of registry may be obtained by rotatably adjusting the cylinder 31 relative to the container 22 and clamping these members in adjusted positions by tightening the nut 37, for example, as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7.

In using the device, the container 22 is filled with paint,

and the container is then closed by engaging the annular cover member 34 on the shaft 20 and securing said cover member by means of the wing nut 37. The spreading cylinder 31 may be adjusted relative to the container 22 to provide a desired degree of overlap between the apertures 33 and the slots 30, whereby to provide a desired rate of flow of paint from the container 22 to the spreading cylinder, in accordance with the type of paint which is being used and with requirements associated with the surface to be painted.

As previously mentioned, when the nut 37 is tightened, the roller is sealed at the bearing bosses 25 and 35 by the sealing bushings 27 and 38, said sealing bushings providing a substantially liquid-tight seal While at the same time allowing the roller to rotate freely on the shaft 20. The device is used in the conventional manner, namely, is rolled on the surface to be painted, employing a sleeve member 13 as a gripping handle. Said sleeve member 13 may be of any desired length, depending upon the type of surface which is being painted. For example, in painting a ceiling, the sleeve member 13 may be of substantial length so that the device will extend to the ceiling without requiring the use of ladders of special scaifolding.

When the device is to be refilled, the cover member 34 is removed, providing access to the interior of the container 22. When it is necessary to clean the paint distributing cylinder, comprising the rigid cylindrical member 31 and its adherent porous layer 32, the cylinder 31 may be readily disengaged from the container 22 by removing the cover 34, thus freeing the cylinder 31 for endwise removal from the container 22. This enables the container 22 to be easily cleaned, as well as vthe paint spreading cylinder comprising the elements 31 and 32.

While a specific embodiment of an improved paint roller of the fountain type has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinal slots and having outwardly projecting abutment means, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with apertures registrable with said slots, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral flange engageable against the other end of said paint spreading cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container.

2. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with ashaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with at least one slot extending a substantial distance along its length, outwardly projecting abutment means at said end of the container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldableporous material, said cylinder being formed with apertures registrable with said slot, a circular cover rotatably mounted on'said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral flange engageable against the other end of said cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against the abutment means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container.

3. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting abutment means at said end of the container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral flange engageable against the other end of the cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container.

4. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting abutment means at said end of the container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral outwardly projecting flange engageable against the other end of the cylinder, a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container, and respective sealing bushings on the shaft between said abutment collar and the end of the container and between said nut and the cover.

5. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting flange means on said end of the container, a paint spreadmg cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said flange means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, said apertures being elongated in a circumferential direction, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral outwardly projecting flange engageable against the other end of the cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said flange means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container.

6. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting abutment means on said end of said container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registra-ble with said slots, said apertures having the shape of triangles and being relatively elongated in a circumferential direction, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a pc- 5 ripheral flange engageable against the other end of the cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container.

7. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitundinally extending slots, outwardly projecting abutment means at said end of the container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, said apertures having the shape of triangles and being relatively elongated in a circumferential direction, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral outwardly projecting flange engageable against the other end of said cylinder, a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container, and respective sealing bushings on the shaft between said abutment collar and the end of the container and between said nut and the cover.

8. A paint roller comprising a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end thereof adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting flange means at said end of (the container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said flange means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, said apertures being elongated in :a circumferential direction, a circular cover suitably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral flange engageable against the other end of said cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said flange means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container, said handle comprising a rod-like main supporting portion, an extension sleeve telescopically receiving said main supporting portion, and means to clamp said extension sleeve to said main supporting portion.

9. A paint roller comprising .a handle provided with a shaft, an abutment collar on said shaft, a cylindrical paint container rotatably mounted on said shaft with an end adjacent said collar, said container being formed with longitudinally extending slots, outwardly projecting abutment means at the end of said container, a paint spreading cylinder concentrically and adjustably mounted on said container with one end engaging said abutment means and having an outer layer of yieldable porous material, said cylinder being formed with longitudinally extending rows of apertures registrable with said slots, said apertures being elongated in a circumferential direction, a circular cover rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaged in the opposite end of said container, said cover having a peripheral outwardly projecting flange engageable against the other end of cylinder, and a nut threaded on the shaft outwardly adjacent the cover and being adapted to exert inward force on the cover, whereby to urge the cylinder against said abutment means and to hold the cylinder in adjusted position relative to the container, said outwardly projecting abutment means comprising a flange formed with a notch, and an armately extending index mark on the end of the cylinder adjacent said notch to indicate the degree of registration of said apertures with said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,708,763 Jacoby May 24, 1955 2,753,577 Van Clief, Ir. July 10, 1956 2,991,914 Janssen July 11, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 800,540 Germany Nov. 13, 1950 

2. A PAINT ROLLER COMPRISING A HANDLE PROVIDED WITH A SHAFT, AN ABUTMENT COLLAR ON SAID SHAFT, A CYLINDRICAL PAINT CONTAINER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT WITH AN END THEREOF ADJACENT SAID COLLAR, SAID CONTAINER BEING FORMED WITH AT LEAST ONE SLOT EXTENDING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE LONG ITS LENGTH, OUTWARDLY PROJECTING ABUTMENT MEANS AT SAID END OF THE CONTAINER, A PAINT SPREADING CYLINDER CONCENTRICALLY AND ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CONTAINER WITH ONE END ENGAGING SAID ABUTMENT MEANS AND HAVING AN OUTER LAYER OF YIELDABLE POROUS MATERIAL, SAID CYLINDER BEING FORMED WITH APERTURES REGISTRABLE WITH SAID SLOT, A CIRCULAR COVER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT AND ENGAGED IN THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID COVER HAVING A PERIPHERERAL FLANGE ENGAGEABLE AGAINST THE OTHER END OF SAID CYLINDER, AND A NUT THREADED ON THE SHAFT OUTWARDLY ADJACENT THE COVER AND BEING ADAPTED TO EXERT INWARD FORCE ON THE COVER, WHEREBY TO URGE THE CYLINDER AGAINST THE ABUTMENT MEANS AND TO HOLD THE CYLINDER IN ADJUSTED POSITION RELATIVE TO THE CONTAINER. 